Raptors Collapse In The Fourth Against Chicago

I’m going to do something a bit different here to mix things up. In a nod to Rob Mahoney at The Two Man Game, here are 12 bullets, reflecting each point in the final margin.

The uniforms. Dear lord, the uniforms. You’re aware that it was Canadian Forces Night and the Raptors wore the ugliest unis you’ve ever seen. Toronto snatching defeat from the jaws of victory could very well have been punishment from the Basketball Gods for putting these things on. Also, the fact the Raps are wearing camo whilst tanking is never going to stop being funny to me.

DeMar DeRozan started strong. He had 11 points on 5-for-9 shooting in the first quarter, but one of those misses was a deep, contested three at the buzzer. The Bulls were a step slow chasing him around screens, so he got a few open looks. That opened the game up for him — DeRozan picked his spots to drive against a rather listless first half Chicago defense and hit a few more difficult jumpers, too. As Andrea Bargnani continued to struggle offensively, DeRozan was the Raptors’ No. 1 option. He finished with 23 points, but couldn’t keep up his early efficiency, shooting 11-for-25 on the night. Fun fact via Kyle Soppe at Hickory High: Toronto is winless in games where DeRozan shoots 20+ times.

I mentioned Bargnani struggling on offense — Dwane Casey keeps referring to him needing to find his sea legs and I hope he finds them soon. Eight points on 2-for-10 shooting, 0-for-3 from behind the arc, and an overall lack of rhythm in this one. It was always going to be tough going up against Joakim Noah, but he was pretty much invisible here. Bad sign with five and a half minutes left in the first: Raptors are in transition, DeRozan passes to Bargnani trailing. He could pop a straightaway three or swing it to Calderon open on the right wing. Instead, he drives, which is actually fine because the Bulls’ defense is completely out of position. But he loses the ball, C.J. Watson heads the other way and gets a layup and Dwane Casey calls a timeout. Also, in the third quarter, there was this:

I enjoyed Jerryd Bayless’ bright green shoes, but did not enjoy watching him have difficulty moving from side to side in his 1:29 of playing time in the first quarter. Good thing they pulled him; he clearly needs a bit more time after that hip pointer. It’s just crappy timing, though — he was playing so well, and Jose Calderon shouldn’t be playing 40 minutes on the second night of a back-to-back coming off an injury.

As a result of the Bayless injury, we had quite the point guard matchup early in the second quarter: the 6’7 Gary Forbes vs. the 5’11 John Lucas III. It’s funny how rarely you see guys like Lucas, J.J. Barea, or Isaiah Thomas get exploited on defense in these situations. You figure NBA teams would post these guys up and make their coaches sit them, but more often than not the help defense is adequate and the other team ends up getting away from its game plan.

Count the number of Toronto mistakes on this play:

Look how happy James Johnson made Aaron Gray!

It looked like the Raptors had this. They had a seven point lead heading into the fourth quarter. They had some defensive breakdowns in the third, but the Bulls were shooting 42 percent and looked tired, with their starters playing heavy minutes. This all changed extremely quickly in the fourth, as the Lucas/Kyle Korver/Luol Deng/Taj Gibson/Omer Asik unit completely turned the game around with a 20-0 run. Yup, 20-0. The Raptors went seven and a half minutes between field goals. Lucas and Korver did most of the damage, with 13 and 10 points in the quarter, respectively. Everything looked incredibly easy for the Bulls, while the Raptors struggled to even get clean looks. Toronto shot just 4-for-18 and was outscored 32-13 in the final frame.

Lucas is so fun to watch. You saw him against the Heat, right? I love how much confidence Thibodeau has in him. He’s allowed to essentially step into the Derrick Rose role when he’s out there. Obviously, he’s not Rose, but with his aggressiveness and his body language it’s clear he’s always going to play as if he’s the best player on the court.

DeRozan picked up a technical foul with four and a half minutes left, down by nine. He drove at Deng and missed a layup, not getting a foul call. Instead of hustling back on D, he screamed at the official nearest to him. Total frustration. In all honesty, I don’t think Deng fouled him. But DeRozan kept that scowl on for the rest of the game and it didn’t particularly help him. Felt bad for him — he was trying, but his team could not get a damn thing going down the stretch.

I also felt bad for him because he was matched up with Deng in the fourth and Deng smothered him. Really impressive performance for Deng, who played 43 minutes and the entire second half. Playing through a wrist injury, he shot just 5-for-16 but he led the Bulls in scoring with 17.

One guy who could have helped offensively: Linas Kleiza. Just five points on 2-of-9 shooting. He played the whole fourth quarter, but missed all four of his shots down the stretch. One was blocked by Asik and turned into a Deng-Gibson alley-oop, which gave Chicago its first lead since the second quarter. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand what makes Kleiza so streaky, but he’s now shooting 10-35 in his last five games. He’ll turn that around.

He send his bigs to the side, then everybody passes around the outside and then an individual shoots from outside.
We make the outside shot, we win.
We miss…we lose.
Its that simple.
Unlike the Bulls or ANY winning team that start inside and then shoots outside as a backup…the Raps work outside.

No pickn roll.
No inside out passes by the bigs. Just stand around and wait for you guy to find his shot.
Depressing.

OK…you say the Bulls have better inside men.
Really?
Noah is a better big? Look at his stats all year. He’s got nothing…nothing not given to im by his teammates.

The Bulls just do it well. Simple.
They work it well…
Even the announcers commented on their use of mediocre players but are efficient.
Talked about how well they just go inside over and over again.

We lost when we started missing the shots from outside.
Its all we got.

Copywryter

Casey has said a million times over that his focus is defensive, and I can’t blame him because we don’t really have an offensive threat in the post. Who, exactly, is going to play the pick and roll or inside-out on this team? Davis? Gray? The Raptor Mascot? Amir is a decent pick and roll option but nothing you could build an offensive plan around. Bargs clearly finds the post too al dente.

If you’re judging Noah by his stats you’re a fool. He’s a strong, mobile, high-motor big who can guard quicker 4s and low-post 5s and is a very good help defender. He rebounds on both sides of the glass and passes well.

The Bulls don’t have mediocre players, they have a very deep bench and near-elite defenders and length at almost every position. Christ, James Johnson is a STARTER on the Raptors and he never saw the floor for them.
Yes, you can tell the Bull miss Rip Hamilton’s slashing offense and mid-range game, never mind the MVP talent of Rose, but they are still a very talented team.

Nilanka15

“It’s funny how rarely you see guys like Lucas, J.J. Barea, or Isaiah Thomas get exploited on defense in these situations”

I agree 100%. Guards with post-up game are a dying breed. Over the past 15 years, players have been more focused on perfecting their step-back 23 footers, than good fundamentals. Remember how often Mark Jackson used to post-up defenders? I miss those days.

Bendit

Kidd was the last PG who used to do it consistently and well. He doesnt do it so much anymore.

Destro

Scary thing is as bad as this team IS and as bad as its been put together…im very afraid of this cap room this summer that BC is going to completely fuck this up 10 fold….by that i mean sign Steve Nash to a multi year deal….If we had a competent GM whos not so mistake ridden,id actually be pretty optimistic about this off season…

Nilanka15

If Nash was willing to to sign here for 2-3 years, I would be ALLLLLL for it. Provided that we use one of our picks to select a young PG as well (Kabongo perhaps).

Yes, Nash is old, but he’s keeps himself in pristine shape. He easily has productive years left in the tank. He’d be the perfect fit, both on and off the court, to teach these kids how to play winning basketball.

The Canadian connection, the Colangelo connection, the Triano connection, etc….it makes too much sense not to explore it.

Destro

Perfect fit = NOPE !
Steve Nash is 38 yrs old,how does fit perfectly for a young rebuilding team ? All that does is take a spot of a young PG we need to play with this group NOW..not 3 years from now…I dont care how pristine shape he keeps himself in,dude is declining by the game and we dont need a PG who’s atrocious defensively added to an already BAD defensive group…Nash 5 years ago SURE,not now where he is at this point in his career..It has the makings of a complete disaster…

With all due respect to nash,i could careless about the canadian angle,the BC angle or the triano angle cuz all of em dont amount to winning (TRU STORY)PLus to be honest Nash cannot teach anything about winning cuz he’s never won..One of the most swept under the rug legacies of his,is being a 2 time MVP that never made it to 1 NBA Finals with all the stacked teams he had…good player,all star YES but he aint a winner…
Bruh it makes NO SENSE to explore it..you dont rebuild young teams with damn near 40 yr old PGs…you dont explore that,let a contending team pick him up and come off the bench…he really doesnt add value to what were trying to do…..

Nilanka15

Unless we sign Deron Williams, we’re stuck with Calderon for another year (there isn’t a PG draft prospect developed enough to take the reigns next season). Who would you rather have Nash, or Calderon running the show?

Nash for 2 years is the perfect window that would allow his minutes to be reduced, while still performing at a high level, and bringing along our future PG nice and slowly (under the tutelage of the one of the greatest to ever play the position).

Nash isn’t a winner? The Suns were 2-time conference finalists (or is the term “winner” only reserved for champions?).

Have you seen what Phoenix has been able to do this year with a roster full of nobodies?

Destro

Calderon or Nash ? neither…id rather go a diff direction,trade Calderon/Bargs and whomever else to bring in a good starting PG IE Rondo,Lowry or let Bayless start next year…
Conference finalists dont get recognition,he played with 2 All stars and couldnt get that time 1 finals appearance,only two time mvp winner to never do that….Winners are people whove won friend,conf runner ups is not winning…

and yes ive seen what they’ve done,its called missing the playoffs and to be honest the pro Nash argument is to shit on the roster when in actuality it is better or equal to some teams talent that are in the playoff picture right now…What he’s doing on that team is no different than what D Will is doing in NJ…they are both on losing teams going nowhere,no brownie points from me…

Nilanka15

Well, we’ll just have to agree to disagree. Bayless running the show is not something I want to see next year.

CJT

So D Rose is obviously a loser too. Thanks for clarifying.

Destro

What does Rose have to do with Nash ? Stay on topic dyckrider…

CJT

You said that anyone who hasn’t won a championship etc. sucks. Or is that just when it’s convenient for your arguement?

Destro

You made a false argument based on a false statement i did not make because you’re dyckriding my screename now…seems reasonable for a RR nerd like yourself…

Destro

Also forgot to mention.i dont think kabongo is declaring this year and even if he did,why would you take him based on what you saw this year ???He wouldnt go top 15 as of now anyway,he was bummy esp in the tournament…

Nilanka15

Kabongo is easily worth one of our 2nd round picks.

The kid’s got NBA talent written all over him.

Destro

Agreed but this year he’s not a lottery pick and he needs to work on the jumpshot….

Brian B

and he doesn’t really run the point most of the time – J’Covan Brown is/was the de facto PG/initiator most of the time.

CJT

I was disappointed watching him walk through the tournament games. Literally walking on offense in the second half. Looked a bit Vince Carterish to be honest.

Sam Holako

You really don’t have to worry about Nash eating all the cap room since I have a feeling that if he wants to sign with a non-contender, he’ll stay put in Phoenix.

Destro

I would be shocked if he re signed with Phoenix again…He’s going ring hunting come July 1…

Lorenzo

No he’s not.

Destro

Yea he is…he cried after the 2010 playoffs…this is his last shot at a ring and it does matter to him…

http://twitter.com/DanSports Dan Levine

Cap space, 2 first rounders (1 is J Val), 2 second rounders for next year, and a good coach. It’s not all doom and gloom. Also you say bring in Rondo or Lowry? Um how? Oh and Nash is declining by the game? Hilariously bad analysis. Check out his stats this season, and since the All-Star break if you think they are getting worse. 55% shooting, 40 from 3 and over 11 assists/per game (league leader). Ya he’s declining fast.

yonas

contract year maybe

http://twitter.com/DanSports Dan Levine

He’s this good every year.

Destro

He was top 5 a few years ago,he was Top 3 between 05-07..he’s not even top 7-8 PG’s anymore….and truthfully he’s always been a lil overrated to me…based on the fact he plays no D and hasnt won anything in the playoffs when it counted….

CJT

Just like D Rose again?

Destro

pay the rent or get off my dick….

Destro

He is declining if you have been following him since the all star break,not my fault if you choose not to see it…your a typical boxscore whore,you see 11 assists every 3 games and claim he’s as good as ever…AGAIN AGAIN Assists per game is the most overrated NBA stat,statmen give those away….league leader in assists is meaningless since hes not even top 5 anymore….he’s had huge turnover numbers last 2-3 weeks and hasnt been scoring and taking over games like you need your best player to do….and his D is horrendous IF you had been watching which obviously you have not been…..because as stated your a boxscore whore.

http://twitter.com/DanSports Dan Levine

Wow. One day you will realize you’re not actually as smart as you think you are. Sorry that I stated facts, I didn’t realize that makes me a boxcore whore. My advice for you is to stop assuming things about other people – you come across as an ignorant dumbass.

Lines like this – “Truthfully he’s always been a lil overrated to me”.. are hilarious, because it implies that people value your opinion on such things.

Destro

noticed you stayed away from mentioning his defense and turnovers…Sorry this team is a 20 win team with Nash…..and clearly the point i was making is i have no confidence in Bryan to do things properly,as he’s shown in 6 years here already….

Lance

What a dummy.

Destro

Actually youll be the dummy next year when you pay for seasons tickets to see nash lead a 25 win team to another lottery selection….

CJT

And you’ll still be an angry little troll on Raptor’s Republic. What’s your point.

Destro

Your 5 posts IN and following a SN…but im the troll…

Lance

Dummy says what?

Derozan

Valanciunas and Ed will give us a post presence next season. With this long summer they will be in the weight room 90% of the time and Ed will come back much bigger. I’d expect us to become drastically better in the paint next season.

Bendit

What stopped Ed from bulking up for this season? Did he think the lockout was on for the year?

Raps4Ever

I guess you’d have to ask Ed, but it may have had something to do with him thinking (like many fans) that he had a decent rookie season, and zero contact allowed during the entire lengthy lockout with the new coach/culture? I’m guessing he’s been pushed around enough this year to have received a wake up call, but just a guess. Personally, I fully expect that this wake up, a summer of team coach and trainer guidance, and his first full training camp, will produce some better results. How much, only this off season will tell.

Darren

He did bulk up for this season, his weight increased and it was even noticeable. The only problem was that he didn’t work a whole lot on the other important parts—footwork, shooting, etc.

Vino

“Felt bad for him — he was trying”
I did not! As a matter of fact, I got up and let everybody hear what I thought about Derozan in rather harsh-straight up language. Amazing that so many fans around just smiled… what’s up with the atmosphere in the ACC?! Half the people do not even know the rules of the game… the other quarter sit there playing with there phones… I know it entertainment and all… but still.

yonas

vinny you should do that to King Borg next time you are at the game and see what happens.

CJT

It must be bery tiring to be the conscience of the fanbase. Thanks for sticking up for all of us.

yonas

They gave you the LK smile, that must have been tough

Jeffrey Thompson

I know why Casey is starting Jose ahead of Jerryd and giving him so many minutes. I think the Raptors are trying to trade Jose once the season ends or during the upcoming draft. The Raptors need to show that Jose can still play and be a factor in the game, especially when he got injured just right before the trade deadline. I’m sure he had a lot of suitors that wanted his services and probably still do. the only problem with this strategy is that it hampers Jerryd Bayless’ development and the move probably alienates him.

JB is tearing it up but when Jose comes back he is made the defacto starter again- why is that?

I have heard every talking head of the Raptors blaming AB’s slow start since his return on missing Jose presence at the point- BullChit.

Raptors can just amnesty Calderon.

If you still believe that the Raptors are showcasing Calderon by starting him I got a big glass of BC’s Kool Aid for you.

CJT

Please attach links to any articles or video of the Raptors brass blaming JB for AB’s poor play. I don’t mean some a-hole Eric Koreen article I mean quotes from the Brass. I don’t believe that anyone associated with the team would say this, it is just your own opinion again, trying use lame examples without any truth to forward your ass backwards agenda.

Destro

Stop being an idiot….and going off topic..clearly anyone thaat follows this org knows certain players are protected regardless of performance….any idiot could see what dude was saying…

CJT

“Dude” said that he has “heard” everyone in the organization say that JB doesn’t get the ball to AB in the right spots. Which is horse crap. The only ones saying that are RR faithful who don’t like JB and prefer Calderon. I asked him to back up his statement. He like you base your arguments on your own personal opinions and agendas, which is perfectly fine, but don’t try to pass them off as facts.

Cred

Destro is just a flat-out troll, who probably doesn’t even believe anything he says but just does it for shits. Gots2Go on the other hand, has a bag full of bullshit conspiracy theories that he actually believes (AB stole Ed’s PF spot, BC controlling ticket prices, etc).

Destro

You’re correct,i dont believe Bargs and Calderon are overrated and in fact do think they’ll both be all stars next year leading this team to 50 wins and a division title and Jose will be first team ALL nba defender….

Cuz its just absurd to believe they are overhyped euro trash…I mean Bargs averaged 6 boards over 13 games,how could i question that consistency and effort…

Thanks cred !

Cred

I’ll tell you what’s absurd, it’s absurd to believe there’s even an inkling of intellect in that thing in your skull that you call a brain.

Destro

weak !

Destro

The fact you need to hear quotes from inside sources shows how retarded you are friend…Some things you dont need literal ad lib,you only need to watch the games to know what he meant…but your dumbass is looking for “literal” quotes from the coach and GM….smh

You see certain players NOT play and certain players NOT held accountable,you know exactly why that is….thats what he was alluding too…

ol’ smart dumb poster in here…

Destro

and he said talking heads of the team,NOT raptors brass might wanna try reading a post before debating it…

Raps4Ever

You might try realizing your opinions are just that, not facts that you call others idiots for not knowing. You’re some aggressive filthy mouthed punk on the internet. Angry fn twerp.

Destro

^ lol at this guys face turning red posting that…Breh funny but you just contradicted yourself and believe me you wouldnt offline…

RaptorFan

whoa….guys….calm down a bit….honestly i’m more inclined to agree with Destro….some/most of it is clearly frustration….but are you telling me some of the points he’s making isnt true?? whats with all the personal attacks?? lets be honest….bargs still has a long way to go and calderon’s future is our back up pg or on a contending team ….Start Bayless for the rest of the year….LET THE RAPTOR FANS UNITE!…we know what we have in Calderon….there’s still too many question marks about the rest of the roster

Ppellico

copywyter

you missed my entire point…and I expected it so if you read fully, you’d know.
Understand big men…and how to use them.
I can name ten better center shooters right now than Noah.
The point is the Bulls know how to use the big man in a post position.
They know how to make him the set up.
If you think Noah is a better shooter than Gray, you are nuts!
But they know how to use him.
He gets the ball and knows who to go to afterwards. Its really not his shot they are expecting, as his numbers would show.
But he has high assist numbers! Its all knowing to set up plays and how to use these guys.
He sucks shooting….and so what.

We NEVER use this as a [plan.
We always set up out big man to the side and then use the outside moves.

If you think I am wrong, then so are the announcers who know more than the both of us times 1o.
THEY were the ones trying to explain this during the game last night.

Copywryter

You think centers are supposed to be shooters? Go back to Europe. I think Noah is a better everything than Gray. Noah is NOT the Bulls set up man, he sets screens to free Boozer then rolls in to bang for rebounds. He has high assists because he runs the break well and passes out his garbage buckets.

Throwing the ball inside to a big who doesn’t have post moves is just wasting the shot clock.

The announcers for the Raps don’t know shit. They are dinosaur fluffers.

CJT

Well, to be fair Paul Jones, Sherman Hamilton, Leo (despite being a giant douce) have all played professional ball and National team ball. Have you? Jack Armstrong NCAA coach for a decade, probably know something about ball. You probably know more, but they know a bit.

Copywryter

That’s true of course, they know much more than I do. But it ‘was’ Leo who talked about the Bulls going inside and as I illustrate below that he’s not actually right – they don’t. I think as paid fluffers all of them are unable to say what they really think beyond a subtle dig.

Destro

It doesnt matter if Noah is better shooter than Gray,he’s not there to shoot…He’s there to rebound and defend and play physical around the basket…

TheTyrant

Good post… keep perspective:
– We don’t have a real second unit: the bulls are a playoff ready team with a deep bench. So as much as this might seem like a meltdown, it really isn’t. We’re not that talented.
– Last year, with pretty much the same offensive output as last year, the outcome have been much-much worse. At least with our defense now we can say the result was respectable, as it has been for many games this season: a far cry from last year.
– Yeah, we could have won this game with some healthier legs.

In short, I’m much more happy to take a loss like this than the kinda spanking we always got last year. As hard as it is to watch the losses pile up, I’m much, much more optimistic than last year.

Akash_singh

bargnani and calderon have peaked and I like what I see for the most part. Derozan is 2-3 years away from being an impact player, if ever. We need to make a push this offseason! I say we trade derozan and davis this off-season, for a veteran wing player that can help us contend. How likely that is depends on how well dd and special ed play, we certainly have the financial flexibility to take on a big contract, while financially strapped teams will gladly take the rookie contracts. fingers crossed.

Both Bargnani and Calderon have issues with injuries….Derozan and Ed both played in every game this year….why would you give up the young potential we have in DD and ED??……we’ve had Calderon and Bargs for 6-7 years….no defence no rebounds….we should flip them for a star (since you think so highly of them)…..wouldnt you agree? Plus they both make BIG $$ and can match a star with a BIG contract…. would a team be so silly to do this trade?? I would do it in a heart beat…..any all-star!!

RaptorFan

Keep in mind Calderon’s contract expires next year…..just saying…..now which team would want a player like Bargnani…..thinking….thinking…

Akash_singh

1: playing in every game just means you’re durable, not good.

2:Im tired of potential, we need a good mix of both. with valanciunas and a top 5 SF(harrison fingers crossed), coming over next year THAT is our potential. Ed and demar are not bad players, but you have to give something up.

3:PG’s get beat,derrick rose gets passed often, I remember fisher getting his ass handed to him on the defensive end the year the lakers won, it happens in the NBA, doesn’t mean you can’t win with jose calderon.

Bargnani is NOT as bad as he was last year defensively, he is still a liability but a much smaller one.

4: You are right, no one is going to offer up anything decent for bargs or calderon, especially an all-star.

RaptorFan

and thats the sad part….you expect our rookie contracts (ED and DD) to bring back some talent….its makes no sense dude….. i’d rather keep DD and ED….let them bulk up over this summer and see what we have next year….i’ve seen all i needed to see from Bargs and Calderon…..you may get 10 really good games and 60 subpar (DEFENCE taken into consideration)

RaptorFan

Also….i’m nervous about Barnes….i’d rather take Beal and Austin Rivers if possible…..with Rivers we have the son of a former NBA player and Boston Celtics coach….he’s like 18 and should improve…..Beal seems like he can come and help right now…what i like about Beal is that he plays HARD and he can BALL

Akash_singh

agree to disagree then b/c:

-I think bargnani and calderon can thrive if surrounded by the right people, once again I cannot stress enough that bargnani’s defense is not as bad as I once thought it was. He is still below average, I think if he puts some work in, he can be as good as boozer defensively (who’s interior defense really isn’t that great, but adequate)

-barnes talent really isn’t being used well in that NC offense (so far), and yet he still manages 25 ppg, He also has the kobe/jordan IDGAF what you think attitude which I love. He also has an nba ready body, so does beal though.

-Derozan has too much to learn, and I really think the time to make move is now when we have the finanicial flexibility (I think calderon should end his career a raptor, so no im not interested in trading him) and some NBA talent. Not sit and wait until DD develops,3-4 years from now.

Ppellico

copywyter…and understand why I am doing this reply this way. I cannot seem to reply directly under remarks here.
It never gets posted. It simply sits.

you are missing my point!
I KNOW Noah can’t shoot and is NOT expected to.
What I amtrying to say is his roll is, and if you do not know this I simply cannot help you…to take the ball initially and pass to open players.
The announcers even tried to explain this simple Bulls strategy during the game. They work inside FIRST….
They tried, and I guess you didn’t get it, show how the Bulls with mediocre talent, make the best inside game.
Noah takes the ball and passes to open players. His assists show this.

Simply…one last time…we do NOT do this.
We send our centers to the side and await our outside to get their looks.

So come on…try to understand my point.
IF you are saying we even try this with our big men…Gray OR Amir, you are nuts.
I see it possibly a few times a game.
Its not our game to work inside first.
To try to say it is is wrong.
To blame it on the talent is even worse…as the Bulls have shown.

Copywryter

You are wrong, dude. Simply wrong. I have nba.tv, so I re-watched the first 5 sets Chicago ran.

#1: PG dribbles up court, passes to Noah AT THE TOP OF THE THREE POINT LINE, Noah immediately gives it up and SETS A SCREEN for the pg. Then sets another screen, then rolls in to the basket where he takes a pass and misses a dunk with some help from Amir. Outside in.
#2: Exact same set, only Deng takes a three. The ball NEVER goes inside.
#3: Similar set. Noah starts low, comes up, sets a (lousy) screen and rolls to the basket. Deng makes a jumper. The ball NEVER goes inside.
#3.5 Noah gets an assist on the break
#4. Ball goes into Boozer and he misses a fadeaway. No inside out.
#5. Nice give and go from Boozer. Not an inside-out play.

There you go. No pick and roll, no inside out game. Chicago doesn’t have the personnel for either of those styles of play. They are a dribble penetration, screen setting, seam-finding team that runs the break hard. If they were an inside out team they would be loaded with shooters with a post big or two (lakers, spurs). If they were a pick ‘n roll team (knicks, suns) they would have a finishing big with a skilled PG.

RapsM

“It looked like the Raptors had this.” Only up 20 with 5 seconds left in the game am I ever sure the raps are gonna pull out a win.

Ppellico

copywryter

if you have the source…then give us more than a snapshot to show your point.
Give us the complete rudown so we know what is the big picture.
I cannot, r I would.
And once again…it was THE ANNOUNCERS giving this out.
You have them saying it….you have the source.
So do it…then tell them they are wrong.

511

I think we’re about due for one of those ‘look-how-good-we-are-when-we-wanna-be’ showings. Hoping Bayless is good to go and Casey uses him and Jose in just the right ways to bottle up and (mostly) shut down Lin. (I appreciate what Lin does and yammer-yammer … but I don’t think he’s THAT good and I kind of hate him in a, you know, mostly-healthy regular anti-Knicks kind of way.) Time for Bargs to wake-t-f-up … and I didn’t foresee having to think that old familiar thought again … but there ya go. I’m really hoping for a focused effort tonight, ending in an ACC Friday-night beat-down of the New York Knicks. Go Raps.